Raytheon demos new MALD-J architecture

Raytheon and the US Naval Research Lab have demonstrated a new rapid-replacement, modular architecture on the Miniature Air Launched Decoy-Jammer (MALD-J) for electronic warfare (EW) payloads, the company announced on 9 September.

The new CERBERUS architecture was demonstrated in a series of successful captive flights during the Northern Edge exercise in Alaska. Four EW payloads, developed separately by the team, were used in 12 operationally relevant missions.

During the demonstration, a MALD vehicle was carried below a Sabreliner, with the payload controlled from within the aircraft cabin. The interchangeable payloads, each customised for a specific mission and threat, were swapped onto the captive carry vehicle in less than one minute.

The payload system architecture was developed under a four-year programme by Raytheon along with the US Pacific Command and Naval Air Systems Command (PMA-234).

The quick interchange structural connection was provided by a half-turn quick lock technique developed by Dallara for IndyCar racing. The design was altered to meet aerospace form factors and environmental requirements.

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